HOME SECRETARY David Blunkett was criticised by senior judges yesterday for his handling of the case of the one surviving Iranian embassy gunman, who has been in jail for 24 years.

HOME SECRETARY David Blunkett was criticised by senior judges yesterday for his handling of the case of the one surviving Iranian embassy gunman, who has been in jail for 24 years.

Three appeal judges quashed Mr Blunkett's decision not to reduce the life tariff imposed on Fowzi Nejad from 25 years to 22 years and said urgent attention should be given to the prisoner's future.

Lord Justice Scott Baker said in a Court of Appeal ruling that although the terrorist had won his appeal, which meant a reduction in the tariff, the result was "wholly academic".

Nejad, an Iranian, was still in a closed prison and it would be highly unusual for him to be released on life licence without first spending at least two years in open conditions.

"The papers before the court indicate a disturbing inactivity on the part of the Secretary of State," said Lord Justice Scott Baker

.

Nejad was one of six heavily-armed terrorists who on April 30 1980 seized the Iranian Embassy in London, and held 26 people hostage. During the six-day siege, two hostages were murdered, but not by Nejad, who was the only survivor among the terrorists after the SAS stormed the building.